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Be confident that your body will support your
jiu jitsu lifestyle.

Performance-Based Physical Therapy in Sacramento. Helping Athletes Recover, Rebuild, and Return to Training

5 Star Rating on Google Award
A person excercising with a physical trainer standing by

Top Rated Physical Therapists in Sacramento

Are you an athlete or active individual looking to recover from injury, enhance performance, or stay pain-free? You’re in the right place.

We’re a performance-focused, gym-based Physical Therapy clinic in Sacramento, dedicated to helping active individuals overcome injury and reach their goals. Our team of experts provide personalized, one-on-one care, using customized, goal-driven treatment plans specifically designed to resolve your pain and get you back to training faster and stronger.

How NorCal Physio Stands Out from the Crowd

While other clinics may offer similar services, none match our level of quality and dedication.

Alliance

We work together by taking the time to listen and understand your mindset, goals, and fears because we know what it means to be an athlete. Every journey is unique, and we’re committed to supporting you every step of the way.

Attention

It’s all about you and your goals. Every session, every rep, every conversation is designed to support your success. Whether you’re here for 1:1 training, group sessions, or recovery, we make every moment purposeful.

Approach

Where rehab meets performance, blending manual therapy with strength training. Our unique approach uses hands-on treatment to get you moving with strength training to keep you strong and performing.

High-Performance Care That Outperforms

Traditional Insurance Physical Therapy
NorCal Physiotherapy
Limited one-on-one time due to high patient volume. Your session may include solo exercises while the therapist divides attention among others.
Dedicated, one-on-one care tailored to your specific needs, ensuring personalized attention throughout your session - every appointment.
Insurance-driven, standard exercises rather than optimizing athletic performance. The goal is to make you functional, not necessarily peak-ready.
Customized treatment plans focus on performance enhancement, blending hands-on techniques and sport-specific training for long-term success.
Short sessions and fewer follow-ups, often limited by insurance coverage.
Longer, more comprehensive sessions with consistent follow-up, allowing for ongoing progress tracking and adaptation.

Start Your Recovery - Book a Free Strategy Call

Schedule a free 15 minute call to see how we help athletes live their high performance life. GET STARTED NOW!

Our Specialties

Someone with arms outstretched doing a physical training excercise

Physiotherapy

Recover stronger, move pain-free, and stay in the game. We help Sacramento athletes bounce back from injuries and build lasting strength with one-on-one expert care.

Performance Training

A stronger body starts with a solid foundation. Our performance training program goes beyond generic workouts, offering personalized coaching to improve mobility, build strength, and support the way you move.

Person doing a kettle bell excercise
A trainer spotting a person holding a barbell above their head

Physical Therapy for Barbell Athletes

Our physical therapy for lifters is designed to keep you training pain-free with personalized sessions tailored to barbell athletes. Recover faster, move better, and lift stronger—right from a gym setting in Sacramento.

Physical Therapy for Combat Training

Combat sports demand more than toughness—they demand smart recovery. Our physical therapy is built for fighters, helping you heal fast, stay mobile, and return to the mat or ring stronger than before.

Somone wearing two medals around their neck with their physical trainer
Two people running a marathon

Physical Therapy for Runners

Running shouldn’t come with setbacks. At Norcal Physio, we offer one-on-one physical therapy built specifically for runners—helping you recover quickly, run pain-free, and perform at your peak, mile after mile.

Recovery Room

Recovery is where progress happens. Our services—like cold plunge, compression boots, and massage gun therapy —are designed to help you recharge faster, reduce soreness, and get the most out of every workout.

A photo of the recovery room, showing a rubber duck floating and a  sign on the wall of the company

NorCal Physio’s 3 Stage Approach for Athletes

Rehab: Evaluate & Alleviate

You’re dealing with pain, injury, or a limitation that's holding you back. In this stage, we focus on healing and recovery—identifying the root cause and creating a plan to get you moving again. Our goal is to reduce pain, prevent compensations, and support your body’s natural healing, so you can return to your activities without pain or limitations.

1

Build: Training & Optimization

You’re feeling stronger and ready to push forward. While some discomfort may linger, you’re at a point where we can safely start loading and training your body. This stage is all about optimizing movement patterns, building strength, and reinforcing your progress. By the end, we want you to confidently say, "I feel great— I’m back to training hard and hitting new PRs!"

2

Perform: Reflect & Refine

Congrats, you are living your ideal life! Now it’s all about maintaining it because, lets be honest- you’re going to push yourself to the limit and you’re going to need some help with recovery. We reflect on your progress, identify areas for refinement, and adjust your program as needed. Our goal is for you to proudly say, "I’m doing things I never thought possible!"

3

Personalized, Performance-Based Therapy for Athletes

We understand every athlete’s needs are unique. Your plan will target your specific condition and athletic goals.

Imagine a therapy experience where your injuries, concerns, and goals truly matter. Sit down with our expert team, feel genuinely heard, and start a customized plan designed just for you. Every session brings you closer to your goals—ready to get started?

A person doing a arm excercise with a trainer observing

Recover, Rebuild, and Rise Again

As an athlete, your performance isn’t just a hobby—it’s your passion, your drive, and your identity. But when pain interrupts your training, it doesn’t just slow you down, it disrupts your life. At NorCal Physiotherapy, we specialize in performance-based athletic physical therapy designed specifically to help athletes like you overcome pain, prevent future injuries, and achieve your highest potential.

Our approach goes beyond standard physical therapy. We identify the root cause of your pain, not just the symptoms. Whether you’re struggling with chronic injuries, recovering from surgery, or dealing with acute sports-related issues, our therapists use a comprehensive assessment to pinpoint exactly what’s limiting your performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why NorCal Physio. What makes you different?
  • Alliance: We believe great outcomes start with connection—and that begins with understanding the athlete’s mindset. Whether you compete or not, it’s the drive to improve, stay accountable, and push beyond just pain relief. We take time to learn your story—your goals and your history so we can build real trust. We understand the demands of your sport and create a personalized plan that combines hands-on therapy with strength training.
  • Attention: Every session is focused entirely on you—your needs, your progress, and your goals. Even in group settings, we ensure you get individualized guidance and support.
  • Approach: We combine immediate relief with long-term results by using manual therapy and strength training—so you not only feel better with the hands on work, but utilize the power of mobility and strength training to stay better.
What if I’m not an athlete?

We believe being an athlete is a mindset, not a title. No matter your age or fitness level, we’re here to support your recovery and help you move without pain or limits. What activities do you want to get back to? Let’s build a plan that fits your life and gets you there.

Do I need a doctor's referral?

In California, you don’t need a referral to start working with us. You can work with us directly for up to 45 days or 12 visits. In the case that a referral is required, we’ll help you get the quick documentation you need—no hassle, no delays.

Can I use my insurance?

At NorCal Physio, we’ve found that many people feel frustrated by rushed, impersonal care driven by insurance limitations. By choosing not to work with insurance companies, we’re able to focus entirely on you with one-on-one, full hour-long sessions and a personalized plan designed around your needs. The result? Faster recovery, deeper results, and care that actually works for you.

While we don’t bill insurance directly, we’re happy to provide the paperwork so you can submit for reimbursement.

Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay for sessions?

We accept health accounts including HSA, HRA, and FSA as well as cash, check, and card. We also offer flexible payment plans so finances don’t get in the way of your recovery.

What should I expect on the first visit?

People are often surprised by how personalized and thorough the first visit is. It starts with an in-depth conversation about your symptoms, any past injuries, training experience, and what you hope to achieve followed by a comprehensive movement assessment. We’ll uncover the real issue and explain what’s going on and from there create a customized plan to get you moving pain-free and back to what you love.

How long is each appointment?

Great question—because how much direct time you spend with your therapist can really impact your results. Your first session is 60-90 minutes of evaluation, treatment, and planning to fully understand your needs and build a personalized plan. After that, every follow-up is a focused, 60-minute one-on-one session with your expert, ensuring you get the attention you deserve.

What should I wear?
Please wear athletic clothing and sneakers that allow you to move freely without any limitations. Please make sure we can get to the area that we’ll be working on. Example: a turtleneck sweater is not the most ideal top for working on neck pain (yep, that’s happened before).
How many sessions will I need?

That really depends on your unique situation—how complex your issue is and what goals you want to achieve.

After your initial evaluation, we’ll have a better understanding of what it will take to get you back to those goals. Most clients who see the best results come in for about 8 to 15 visits. This allows us to not only relieve your pain but also address the root cause and build a lasting plan to keep the problem from coming back.

How frequently will I come in after the first session?

How often you come in depends on your injury, how long it’s been going on, your goals, and how consistent you are with exercises between visits. We design your schedule to fit your lifestyle, progress, and needs. Usually, once a week provides the best results while giving you enough time to work on your program independently; however, your specific frequency might be three times a week, monthly, or anywhere in between based on the findings and the plan that you and your provider create. This balance helps you recover faster and get back to what matters most—without spending unnecessary time in the clinic.

What happens after I reach my goals and finish my treatment plan?

Once you’ve reached your goals, what’s next for you? Many of our clients choose to continue working with us through prevention and performance training. This helps them stay strong, improve their abilities, and keep progressing toward their health and wellness goals—so they don’t just recover, they thrive.

Our Team

A photo of Dr Kauffmann

Dr Caleb Kauffmann

PT, DPT, Cert SMT/DN, Dip Osteopractic, FAAOMPT

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A photo of Dr JP Gloria

Dr JP Gloria

PT, DPT, USATF

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A photo of Jessica Kauffmann

Jessica Kauffmann

Administrator

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Your Comeback Starts Here

As an athlete, it is frustrating when pain and injury limit you.

At NorCal Physiotherapy, we understand the athlete’s mindset and give a clear path to recovery so you can be confident that your body will support your active lifestyle. Receive individualized care by a Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Testimonials

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I experienced chronic back pain while doing deadlifts and was told by other professionals to just stop lifting. Dr Kauffmann understood my goals and he helped me with my form, strength, and confidence while performing the lift. Now I am able to lift pain-free!

Emily H.

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NorCal Physiotherapy is my go-to for any of my athletic needs. Being a collegiate athlete I frequently run into issues due to the constant stress I put my body under. For me, it is essential to have a physical therapist that I can trust and NorCal Physiotherapy is exactly that.

Cathi M.